The Volunteers of La Mata (the Asociación de las Rutas y Caminos de la Sal) enjoyed a guided visit to the Salinas (Saltworks ) site, to see how the salt is produced. Several members of the group are also members of Torrevieja U3A.
The process was explained and also the fact that this is the only place where salt is produced in this way, with a type of dredger, whereas much salt, as in Santa Pola is by the drying out of salt pans. The highlight of the visit was a trip out onto the Laguna in a flat bottomed barge type of boat, where we saw the dredging machine in action, scooping the salt and debris from the lake, and tipping the salt and other detritus into barges, pulled by a tug. We then saw the washing and separating process. Next time we shake salt onto our meals we shall think a bit harder as to how it arrived there! The Salinas Company welcomes groups of visitors so as to further involve the public in this unique production of a vital substance. There is a very good video of the process in the Salt Interpretation Centre, which is just next to the Alzheimer centre in Torrevieja.
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| The volunteers |
